Monday’s Meditation: On Self-Worth

August 6, 2012

One of my beloveds came to me recently with a life dilemma that I felt was worth sharing. I shan’t disclose the specifics because friendship. The only information that will matter to you is that my bitty was choosing between two educational paths. The schooling would be the same on either one, but at the end there would be unique credentials earned.

Shmooberry Pie, Q.Q. vs. Shmooberry Pie W.K.

If you will.

And so we sat there, talking about the pro’s and con’s of each path, the benefits and drawbacks and possible repercussions. And neither one of us had to say out loud what we were really talking about because we both knew; those demarcating letters matter to us because we want the world to know we matter. Because we want to prove to ourselves that we matter.

And it got me thinking about self-worth, and the modern lenses through which we interpret self-worth, the way we warp worth. What real inherent value is there in those letters? How has it come to pass that the letters after a person’s name have overshadowed their actual name? Aren’t we skipping a step here?

Let’s look at it this way: no one has ever gone into the locker room of a major sports team, observed the jerseys hanging there and exclaimed,

“Number 46! That guy must be AMAZING!”

No. It is that player’s sweet moves on the field that ascribe him prominence. It’s his half court shot, his left hook, his right arm that make us admire him, that make us remember his name. It is only after all that happens– and that over an entire career– that we come to revere that player’s jersey number because of its association to the player. Without every pass, every dribble, every shot taken, every bunt, every pitch, every breakaway made by that athlete that number wouldn’t matter. It would be nothing more than a couple randomly adjacent digits.

It is the same way with letters. Oh sure, those letters earned after centuries of schooling hold self-pride, they contain the sweat and blood of countless exams and finals and professors. And maybe Carly, that girl who tormented you in the seventh grade will come across your title on Facebook one day, and the letters after your name will cause her over-tweezed eyebrows to raise ever so slightly.

You want to know what Carly will think to herself?

“I guess she became successful. She’s probably making lots of money, has a hot husband. Whatever.” And perhaps, “I have to schedule a mani-pedi, my cuticles are nasty.”

That’s all. Those letters won’t cause Carly girl to reflect on all the good work you are doing, on the strength of your heart forces. And they won’t cause Carly to change her mind about you, whatever the opinion she holds.

The letters after a name may impress. If only for a moment. But they won’t describe your character, won’t sum up your work ethic or define your integrity. They won’t reveal how much happiness and abundance is present in your life.

My friend came to me asking which path to choose, which letters she preferred to have appear after her name. And so we sat there, talking about the pro’s and con’s of each path, the benefits and drawbacks and possible repercussions. And what I should have said to her was:

One day, somewhere down the line, a postcard will be sent to you. The sender, rushed; their hand will grope still-wet words as they drop the card into the mail slot, causing the ink to smudge ever so slightly. Later, they will notice the traces of blue, the imprint of previously etched syllables on their finger pads. And sitting atop a stack of envelopes inside the box, the postcard’s mailing label will be in tact but for two letters, removed incidentally by their scribe. And then there will be only your name.

And when you live a life you are proud of, when you do exceptional work to service the universe, when you care greatly for yourself and when you show compassion to others, just your name will be enough. It will be all that matters.

And when we are gone, which we all will be some very long day from now, it will be your actions during your time on earth (it’s your sweet moves on the field, see?) that will cause anyone to remember you, to recite your name. And never the letters that came afterwards.

Image credit: La Redoute

6 Comments

  1. DeDe@DesignedDecor on August 6, 2012 at 8:05 am

    So very true! It’s not the education that gets you the respect and self worth, it’s the true you!

  2. Rachel {little bits of lovely} on August 6, 2012 at 8:09 am

    So true Annie, this is such a great reminder! You will long be remembered for who you loved and how you loved, rather than immaterial things like letters after your name or even the clothes you wear. I always look forward to your Monday posts 🙂 xx

  3. Ronda on August 6, 2012 at 8:53 am

    Annie, your message is a wonderfully strong reminder that earning power and status are of little importance in our lives, the actions and compassion we show to others is what a good life is about. Letters after one’s name is negative if they are sought solely for money and status. I have letters after my name. My husband has letters after his name,too, albeit different letters than mine. I have used ‘my letters’ to do much good for many people. I have spared innocent people from spending years in prison. My husband has saved many lives in people with cancer and other diseases. But we live our lives according to our belief that materialistic things are impermanent and not the focus of our being. Our son has chosen the ministry for his life’s work. Although his choices are not mine to take credit – I feel proud to have raised a man who believes the stuff in his heart is more important than the stuff in his garage. Thanks, Annie, for the opportunity to voice our thoughts on what really matters to most of us.

  4. Dawn {The Alternative Wife} on August 6, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    Ah, Annie this is amazing and oh so true. Your Monday posts always make me say yes, yes as I nod my head at the screen 🙂 Happy Monday, sweets! xoxo

  5. Katharine on August 6, 2012 at 5:30 pm

    Thank you for a great post. So many wonderful (and true) insights. I especially like the part about your name – all you have is your name and that is all you need. If you do great work and are kind, people will notice!

  6. Emily on August 6, 2012 at 11:37 pm

    Well, isn’t that the truth! Very well put and honest, Annie. I couldn’t agree more!

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6 Comments

  1. DeDe@DesignedDecor on August 6, 2012 at 8:05 am

    So very true! It’s not the education that gets you the respect and self worth, it’s the true you!

  2. Rachel {little bits of lovely} on August 6, 2012 at 8:09 am

    So true Annie, this is such a great reminder! You will long be remembered for who you loved and how you loved, rather than immaterial things like letters after your name or even the clothes you wear. I always look forward to your Monday posts 🙂 xx

  3. Ronda on August 6, 2012 at 8:53 am

    Annie, your message is a wonderfully strong reminder that earning power and status are of little importance in our lives, the actions and compassion we show to others is what a good life is about. Letters after one’s name is negative if they are sought solely for money and status. I have letters after my name. My husband has letters after his name,too, albeit different letters than mine. I have used ‘my letters’ to do much good for many people. I have spared innocent people from spending years in prison. My husband has saved many lives in people with cancer and other diseases. But we live our lives according to our belief that materialistic things are impermanent and not the focus of our being. Our son has chosen the ministry for his life’s work. Although his choices are not mine to take credit – I feel proud to have raised a man who believes the stuff in his heart is more important than the stuff in his garage. Thanks, Annie, for the opportunity to voice our thoughts on what really matters to most of us.

  4. Dawn {The Alternative Wife} on August 6, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    Ah, Annie this is amazing and oh so true. Your Monday posts always make me say yes, yes as I nod my head at the screen 🙂 Happy Monday, sweets! xoxo

  5. Katharine on August 6, 2012 at 5:30 pm

    Thank you for a great post. So many wonderful (and true) insights. I especially like the part about your name – all you have is your name and that is all you need. If you do great work and are kind, people will notice!

  6. Emily on August 6, 2012 at 11:37 pm

    Well, isn’t that the truth! Very well put and honest, Annie. I couldn’t agree more!

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